Post by Euromaidan Press

A UN investigation just named Putin personally in findings of crimes against humanity — for stealing Ukrainian children. The Independent Commission of Inquiry examined 1,205 confirmed cases. It found the abductions were "widespread and systematic," starting days before the full-scale invasion. Children from institutions were moved into Russia, given Russian citizenship, and placed with families or in orphanages across 21 Russian regions. Putin signed a decree fast-tracking Russian citizenship for Ukrainian kids without parents. When his children's rights commissioner flagged laws blocking permanent placements, he said: "You tell us which ones, we will eliminate them." In at least two cases, children's names and birthplaces were changed in official records. One 11-month-old girl from Kherson — with a mother, siblings, and legal guardian still in Ukraine — was adopted by a senior State Duma deputy and close Putin ally. She hasn't been returned. Staff at Russian institutions reportedly told children: "Your country does not exist anymore, everything has burnt down, and your parents probably died." One mother said her son had forgotten how to speak Ukrainian by the time he came back. Over 80% of confirmed cases remain unresolved. Ukraine estimates the real number of abducted children at up to 300,000. Fewer than 2,000 have been returned.